§ MR. H. BEAUMONT (Sussex, Eastbourne)To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he is aware that, in institutions belonging to religious orders which have been expelled from France and which are now domiciled in England, a number of young girls are employed in laundry work, lace-making, and dressmaking; whether he is aware that charges were made against the cruelty and sweating practised in these institutions in France; and whether he intends to introduce any legislation for the protection of the young girls so engaged.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Gladstone.) I fear I can add nothing to the Answer which I gave on 27th November to the hon. Member for North Down,† to the effect that the question of regulating industrial work in religious and charitable institutions, when carried on by way of trade, is now under consideration; but that, apart from this, I cannot take action with a view to the inspection of religious institutions.